Mandurah to lead WA with a new beach emergency system

Mayor of Mandurah Marina Vergone will be moving a motion at the next council meeting in July 26 to adopt a new coding system for local beaches mirroring Queensland’s GPS system. 

Queensland adopted a coding GPS system which assigned each beach a unique code linked to GPS coordinates in 2011.

Safety signs and emergency markers including the codes were installed in most of the state’s beaches and were linked to coordinates provided to emergency service crews.

In case of an emergency, people on site can include the code in the information provided to emergency services, allowing them to pinpoint the person’s exact location and GPS coordinates along the coastline.

Closest vehicle access points, potential obstructions and other useful information is also linked to each code, allowing for a quicker and more efficient response. 

The Mandurah’s system would follow Queensland’s example, allocating three-digit codes to beach locations and carparks to facilitate location by emergency services.

In the motion, Ms Vergone acknowledged emergency services delayed in arriving to the scene during May’s shark attack due to being unable to locate Mr Gerring quickly enough. 

“When we have a tragedy happen, it is important that we look at how we could have improved the situation and this is one simple solution that I believe should be in place,” Ms Vergone wrote in the motion. 

The new system would be named B.E.N, Beach Emergency Number, to honour victim Ben Gerring. 

The idea to follow Queensland’s approach was first flagged by local MP Andrew Hastie following the shark attack in May. 

“The recent shark attack in Falcon was a devastating event for the family of Ben Gerring and the local community,” he said.

“In emergencies, it is vital that first responders can reach critically injured people in a timely manner.

“A numbering system with corresponding GPS coordinates for beaches along our rugged coastline would make it easier for emergency services to locate people in an emergency.”

The initiative would be a coordinated effort between the City of Mandurah and the State Government, and would include Surf Life Saving, St John Ambulance and Sea Rescue.